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Durham Public Schools kindergarten teacher Antonio Cowart sticks to his morals even when not around his students. After working for a moving company for a short time, the bubbly 27-year-old found his voice in rapping by using age-appropriate lyrics for children. Most people who hear his music consider him a “Christian rapper.” However, Cowart thinks otherwise but he doesn’t go against the label because he is not ashamed of it.

The undefeated North Carolina A&T University Aggies got the best of N.C. Central University football in the second half of Saturday’s season finale with a final score of 24-10.

Tensions were high before the Aggie-Eagle Classic began as players on both sides got involved in a mid-field scuffle during warm-ups. Eagles junior defensive back Davanta Reynolds was ejected from the game with both teams also receiving personal fouls.

Penalties were both a major factor and a testament to the schools’ bitter rivalry—there were 27 in total, most of them for unsportsmanlike conduct on both teams.

NCCU’s offense struggled with consistency throughout the game to amass only 215 yards while A&T put up 358 and kept Eagles defense on their heels.

Both teams were scoreless throughout the first 15 minutes of play, but A&T receiver Elijah Bell ended the scoring drought with a 13-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Lamar Raynard in the second quarter.

NCCU struck back, driving down the field to complete a 52-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 going into halftime.

The third quarter saw running back Marquell Cartwright give the Aggies a comfortable lead with back-to-back touchdowns near the goal line. Despite trailing by 18 points at the time, the Eagles capitalized with a successful drive of their own that ended with a 3-yard score by sophomore running back Isaiah Totten to close out the quarter.

As the Eagles tried to come back in the fourth quarter, an offensive holding penalty negated a critical 3rd down scramble by quarterback Chauncey Caldwell on third-and-8. The Eagles ended up punting three times on four possessions during the period.

A&T’s success secured the team its first sole Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference championship since 2003 and their second Celebration Bowl appearance. If they win at the Bowl, the Aggies will have the first-ever undefeated season by a MEAC team since the league started in 1971.

This win is also A&T’s first win against NCCU since head coach Jerry Mack assumed the position in 2013.

“They (A&T) made more plays than us when it came down to it,” Mack explained to reporters after the game. “That’s why they are champs.”

The team looks to grow through this devastating loss and begin making changes going into the offseason. Many of NCCU’s seniors will be gone next year, leading to young players being closely evaluated.

“You live and you learn,” Mack said. “We will add pieces to the puzzle and be right back in contention next year.”

As the Campus Echo wraps up its 90th year of publication, it is important to look back at how far we have come in nine decades by revisiting the oldest copy of the Echo we have to date.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a copy of Volume 1, Issue 1 of the Echo, but, thanks to the North Carolina Digital Heritage Website, we have literally the second-best thing: the second-ever issue.

Published Dec. 25, 1927, the Echo’s ten-cent “Christmas issue” prominently featured Shepard Hall on the cover.

The women’s dormitory would be renovated into what is now Annie Day Shepard Residence Hall.

This paper is set up much differently than it is now—we no longer print poetry or fiction pieces on the website or in hard copies, nor do we have a Chuckles section—but some sections remain the same.

The editorial for Dec. 25, 1927, author unknown, is titled “The Purposes of Education” and focuses on the reasons the author believes it necessary to attain an education at an institution like what was then known as North Carolina College for Negroes.

“More than any other Americans, Negroes need to learn the essentials of good living,” the author claims.

“Otherwise, they cannot overcome their limitations of rights and opportunities … Negroes need education, of the kind that sets them on fire, and to be up and doing.”

It’s a bold statement, but not controversial for students already receiving post-secondary education. While some terminology and idea of what constitutes “good living” has changed, the overall message is still relevant.

The same cannot be said for the contents of the fact sheet following it. The need for “especially good railroad accommodations” is not as urgent as it once was, and the idea that the school provide typewriters and bookkeeping desks for each student is archaic, given the capabilities of a smartphone that can fit in a pants pocket.

Nevertheless, there is a certain charm to a story, accompanied by a pencil-drawn sketch, about a Miss N.C.C. who won her crown from selling $92 worth of Thanksgiving football game tickets.

My personal favorite, however, is the sports page’s coverage of the Christmas Day “OLDLINERS PLAY!!” postseason football game, with N.C.C. faculty squaring off against their North Carolina A&T counterparts.

Any football team captained by our founder (and left center) Dr. James E. Shepard is good enough for me. A special mention goes to then-Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Alfonso Elder (quarterback) and the school’s first athletics coach, Wilson V. Eagleson (left tackle). Eagleson’s wife, Frances Marshall Eagleson, was the school’s registrar from 1926–64; Eagleson Residence Hall is named for her.

The Campus Echo is an NCCU institution in and of itself. The paper has existed longer than the Hoey Administration Building (built in 1929), the vast majority of campus residence halls and all “Divine Nine” Greek-letter organizations.

It is an honor to lead such a preeminent publication with my co-editor- in-chief, Daniel Hargrove, and I excitedly look forward to what our beloved Echo will become.

Meet Erika Ianovale, a junior volleyball player at N.C Central University with an exceptional background.

Ianovale (pronounced ee-ah-no-VAH-lay), 20, was already becoming an international citizen at a young age. She was born in Milan, Italy, and at the age of five moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Erika was a very athletic child, playing multiple sports including judo, swimming, track and kick-boxing. However, her passion for volleyball didn’t begin until 2010.

“It started as just another sport, but then I liked it more than all the others,” she explains. “I kept moving up (in skill level) until I got to the best team in my city for my age.”

It wasn’t until she was nearing the end of her high school career that Ianovale’s mother gave her the idea of going to the United States to further both her education and volleyball career.

Like many international athletes looking to study abroad, she compiled videos of her playing to send to coaches all over the United States. From there, she waited for the best offer before making a final decision.

Her first school was not her final one, however: Erika spent both her freshman and sophomore years in Florida, but at a different junior college (Florida State College at Jacksonville and State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota, respectively) for each one.

“I originally only came from Brazil for the experience, but I ended up liking it here,” Ianovale says of why she spent such a short period of time at each school. “Since they were going to cancel the program at Jacksonville, I needed to find another junior college.”

The next step in Erika’s journey was NCCU.

“Central offered me the best scholarship opportunity,” she says. “But the most important factor for me was that when I came for the official visit (in March 2017), the girls on the volleyball team were super nice to me.”

She remembers how excited she was to make the transition from junior colleges to a Division I university and further her education at a school where she could advance in her major of Mass Communication.

After graduation, Erika hopes to stay in the U.S. and start her career as either a communication director or in internal communications for a multinational corporation. She says that her experiences in different countries and being able to speak four languages—Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and English—will help her succeed.

“The university is bigger with way more support,” Ianovale says. “The ability to take more and different classes is better than here than at junior colleges.”

Ianovale has played in 23 matches for the Eagles and started in all but two of them. It may only be her first season, but she has an impressive season high of nine kills twice and 11 defensive digs on three separate occasions.

“She is truly efficient at any position we (coaching staff) put her in,” Brown says. “Erika is very intelligent and methodical.”

There is a common theme in opinions about Erika Ianovale: she is a standout volleyball player, but an even better person.

“She is always willing to help others,” Brown says. “Erika is a teammate you want to have.”

Lady Eagles volleyball will be making their second consecutive appearance in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament beginning with a quarterfinals match against host University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m.

The Campus Echo had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye, N.C. Central University’s twelfth and current chancellor, and ask him about the position as a whole and his goals for the future of our university. Our questions and his responses are below.

Campus Echo: What have you found to be the most challenging aspects of your position as chancellor?

Chancellor Akinleye: There are numerous areas of opportunities I have found that NCCU has at its footsteps. Many of these areas are articulated in our strategic priorities for 2017-18 academic year. I invite you to visit the NCCU website to learn more about these priorities.

CE: What have you found to be the most rewarding aspects of your position as chancellor?

CA: One of the most rewarding aspects of being Chancellor is having the opportunity to advocate for the students of North Carolina Central University and to provide them with a chance to fulfill their dreams.
I always remember the premise upon which this university was founded 107 years ago by Dr. James E. Shepard and am honored to continue the quest to fulfilling this legacy.

CE: What has surprised you most about your position as chancellor?

CA: The 24/7 nature of the job. The chancellor engages both internally and externally and is called upon on a moment notice to deal with emerging and pressing issues.

CE: Below are the strategic goals you gave ABC11 in an interview shortly after being appointed.

Boost enrollment and make NCCU accessible

Graduate job ready students

Expansion and renovations

Increase degree program offerings

What measures are in the works to meet them?

CA: In August 2017, I launched 6 strategic priorities that focus on initiatives from expanding research and facilitating innovative strategic partnerships with the Research Triangle Park to building new infrastructure for the university. The 6 priorities are:

Expand NCCU’s portfolio of academic offerings and research initiatives and provide new opportunities for global immersion

Expand partnerships with higher education institutions, community colleges, K-12, private industry and nonprofits to recruit, support and employ students.

Facilitate the development of innovative strategies with Durham County, the City of Durham and the Research Triangle to create economic opportunity and revitalization in areas surrounding NCCU.

Reinforce and invest in improved security measures to enhance campus safety and well-being.

Improve and build new infrastructure to better accommodate the NCCU community as it grows and thrives.

As it applies to students, the Eagle Promise (the encompassing name for the strategic priorities) means NCCU prepare students who are job-ready for employment in their field of study or equally well qualified to proceed to graduate or professional school, if they so desire.

It says we will do everything in our power to make sure students earn their bachelor’s degree in four years and have opportunities during their education to engage people and programs that are both national and international in scope.

And it means that we will encourage all students to hone their leadership skills through initiatives in the classroom, educational service projects, and with our partners in business and government.

CE: There has been a continues shortage of campus housing for students. What plans does the university have to address those shortages? What arrangements does the university have with off-campus housing sites, such as Campus Crossings?

CA: Housing is an important topic, and one that we’ve been discussing with our Board of Trustees.

At the present time, demand for on-campus housing outpaces our current capacity due to increasing enrollment in first time and transfer students. This is a good problem to have as NCCU is increasingly becoming a highly desirable and selective institution.

We are analyzing the current demand, as well as projections for future growth, as we consider our options. Plans are in the works to bring additional housing on line in the next few years.

Meanwhile, we are working with Student Affairs to secure safe off-campus housing sites to make sure they can accommodate our overflow until additional on campus is brought online.

CE: What efforts are underway and in the works to increase campus security?

CA: Security on campus is very good. The university has been working diligently with our city and county partners to address concerns related to security in and around the NCCU campus perimeter. These are areas in the purview of the city. I applaud the NCCU Police Department for their hard work ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

We will announce a new collaboration soon related to our campus security initiative in areas surrounding NCCU. A few of the initiatives that are underway for the 2017-2018 academic year include

Completing the installation of approximately 900 indoor and outdoor security cameras by June 2018;

Approximately 100 existing cameras will be integrated into the new system;

600 will be new interior cameras;

200 will be exterior 180/360 degree new cameras; and

Increasing police foot and bike patrols, hire a crime prevention officer to enhance visibility and contract with a security firm to assign security officers to each residence hall by November 2017.

CE: In terms of technology infrastructure, what efforts are underway to keep NCCU on the cutting edge of technology? What efforts are underway to keep faculty on the cutting edge of technology?

CA: NCCU works hard and I believe is successful at enhancing our systems to remain on the cutting-edge of technology. Here are a few examples of the work that has been done in the area:

Upgraded technology in many of our classrooms. Efforts underway to complete upgrade of all classrooms.

Launched the myNCCU mobile app to provide students and others with convenient access to campus news, maps, library, athletics and other information;

Hired a Chief Information Security and Compliance Officer to follow state and industry standards and ensure that the institution remains in compliance;

Partnered with Google Fiber to implement a Google Fiber Community Leaders program for our students; and

Developed e-Learning office to support for faculty training in technology and online environment.

CE: There are continuing budget cuts from the state for university funding. What is the fiscal health of the university? What efforts are underway to acquire resources from non-state sources?

CA: The fiscal condition of NCCU is very healthy, an opinion that was confirmed by the N.C. State Auditor during a recent financial review.

The North Carolina legislature has allocated funding in line with requests from higher education institutions for the past few years, which has allowed us to respond to the needs of the campus as they arise.

Enrollment is healthy too. We have seen steady increases and this year experienced a record enrollment for 1,704 first-year and transfer students combined.

CE: NCCU was ranked #80 as a regional Southern University with an overall score of 45/100. What initiatives are you considering to improve NCCU’s ranking?

CA: We enjoy seeing these rankings. There are many issued each year, including the one you cited from U.S. News & World Report. To get a better picture of the university’s status, I would urge you to take a look at some other lists that are published.

For example, “U.S. News and World Report” ranks NCCU third among 72 public HBCUs in the country and second-highest among North Carolina HBCUs.

“Diverse Issues in Higher Education” named NCCU among the nation’s top in awarding degrees to minority students. The NCCU School of Law was picked as 16 out of the nation’s top law schools by the SE Education Group.

Another factor to consider are the rankings of our individual programs. We have attained top marks in a number of areas, including online bachelor’s programs, Hospitality and Tourism, counselor education, and many others.

CE: Where do you see NCCU 25 years from now?

CA: NCCU will continue to be a thriving nationally prominent institution of higher learning.

We offer degrees in more than 80 academic areas today, and I expect to see the university’s academic portfolio continue to grow and diversify to reflect the needs and opportunities available in this community and elsewhere in our country.

We will likely have students enrolled in countries around the world, as our award-winning online bachelor’s and master’s degrees become increasingly popular.

I also believe that the academic reputation of our institution will continue to grow as we attract more students who can realize the value of the education that we deliver.

When the curtains opened on the stage of N.C. Central University’s B.N. Duke Auditorium, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation at the very sight of actress Phylicia Rashad.

As she took the microphone, however, a deafening silence engulfed the room. Rashad’s presence held the full, undivided attention of the audience; the sound of papers shuffling and the fabric of people’s clothing could be heard with an uncanny clarity. The audience hung onto each and every word of wisdom Rashad had to offer.

Rashad spoke at NCCU on Nov. 10 as the second speaker in the 2017–18 Rock the Mic lecture series prepared by NCCU’s Department of Student Engagement and Leadership. She is a renowned actress in television, film and theater and one of the many notable alumna of Howard University. She is best known for her theatrical work and iconic role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”

Rashad gave a speech on the importance of self-empowerment and advice to attendees during a Q&A following her onstage lecture.

The seniors of N.C. Central University’s football team were only thing worth celebrating Saturday.

The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats scored a touchdown on the last play of the game and, as a result, knocked NCCU out of contention to win a fourth consecutive MEAC championship.

In the early stages of this match-up, it became inevitable that this game would be all about defense with both teams struggling offensively.

Eagles defense was able to hold the Wildcats to only 178 total yards with senior linebackers Kenneth “Tank” O’Neal and Reggie Hunter leading defense with 13 total tackles.

The game was very close with neither team able to find any offensive advantage. Both entered halftime scoreless.

Bethune-Cookman ended the scoreless drought with a 1-yard run by quarterback Akevious Williams in the third quarter. NCCU tried to capitalize with a touchdown of their own but were stopped short of a first down, leading them to settle for a field goal instead.

On fourth and goal late in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell threw a 4-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Xavier McKoy to gain a 10-7 lead with 16 seconds left on the clock.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty would cost the Eagles in the end—Wildcats were able to get good enough field position from there for one last chance to score.

With 5 seconds left on the clock, Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm Jr. heaved up a 48-yard Hail Mary towards the end zone. The ball was tipped before wide receiver Keavon Mitchell made the game-winning catch.

The 13-10 loss gives the Eagles a 5-2 conference record.

Head coach Jerry Mack understood his players’ pain in the aftermath of such a devastating loss.

“They did every single thing we asked them to do, and that’s part of the disappointment when you lose a game like that,” Mack said. “That’s probably one of the worst ways to lose a game.”

NCCU are set to face their rival, North Carolina A&T in the annual Aggie-Eagle Classic for the final game of the regular season. The Aggies are currently undefeated.

For the past month, portraits by Afro-Cuban artist Erik Olivera Rubio have dominated the N.C. Central University Art Museum.

Rubio’s artwork, described as being “the tangible expressions of an authentic voice,” emphasize aspects of his multicultural roots in a colorful, detailed manner. Though the exhibition, which is Rubio’s first showing in America, housed over 20 pieces of artwork, three in particular caught my eye. Each of them had bright, imaginative qualities expertly painted onto the canvas.

The first, “La fé de deseo/Desired Faith” (2004), displayed a dark-skinned boy holding handfuls of cotton close to his chest. Instantly, I related the imagery back to the voice of a young slave, though the title suggests something different, potentially with the cotton being lamb’s wool instead.

Another on display, “Oshún” (2014), is a portrait of a black woman with natural kinky hair flowing and her right arm resting on one hip as she smiled. I feel that this was intended to heavily emphasize the confidence and attractiveness of empowered black women.

Certain paintings had profound meanings behind them. The portrait that spoke to me the most was “Inle” (2014). This portrait illustrated how black men are not free mentally or physically by having a wire wrapped around the subject’s forehead with two snakes formed at the ends. Three more wires hung around the man’s neck like necklaces that could represent physical bondage like the effects of racial stereotyping and slavery. The blue tint of the background color of this portrait gave off feelings of sadness and depression toward and by the man.

According to the introductory plaque at the entrance to the museum, Erik Olivera Rubio’s exhibition (which runs through Nov. 17) “strengthens North Carolina’s cultural and economic times to Latin American and beyond.” Hopefully, we will see more of that in upcoming exhibitions.

Do memories make us human? Because we can remember what anger, love or pain feels like, does that mean we have a soul? These are only some of the questions at the forefront of the neo-noir science-fiction film “Blade Runner 2049.

“2049” is the direct sequel to the 1982 Ridley Scott classic “Blade Runner.” The original film starred Harrison Ford in a dystopian Los Angeles as a wash-out named Rick Deckard whose job as a blade runner is to hunt down and kill synthetic human ‘Replicants’ that have gone rogue.

In the sequel, which takes place 30 years after Deckard disappeared with a Replicant he fell in love with, Ryan Gosling takes the lead as a blade runner called ‘K’ (short for KD6-3.7). He’s tasked with uncovering a long-hidden secret that connects Deckard’s mysterious past with an unsettling future.

The ensemble gives its all in this film—Gosling leads the pack with a moving performance wherein the audience watches ‘K’ slowly transform from an emotionally reserved killer into a distraught being searching for meaning. Ford follows suit with a devastating portrayal of an older Deckard who has suffered immensely over the last 30 years. This performance is one of the best of his career.

Jared Leto as Niander Wallace is technically the lead antagonist as the eponymous leader of the Wallace Company, the only corporation allowed to make ­­Replicants.

However, Leto is overshadowed by his henchwoman Luv (Sylvia Hoeks), who is terrifying any time she is on screen. Hoeks nearly steals the show from the rest of cast. Luv is hellbent on uncovering the same answers ‘K’ seeks, before he can.

Hoeks gives Luv an intimidating presence that only adds a greater intensity to the violent acts she commits. She is ruthless and calculated, giving the feeling that no character is safe that she is around.

“Blade Runner 2049” was masterfully brought to life by director Denis Villeneuve and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins. This is their third collaboration, preceded by the highly-acclaimed films “Prisoners” (2013) and “Sicario” (2015). With ‘2049,’ they have created yet another visual feast that is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Every frame drips with rich shadows, riveting color palettes and brilliant set pieces that blend seamlessly with CGI. The film provides cinephiles a master class in cinematic excellence. The jaw-dropping visuals will leave viewers scratching their heads as to how the movie was pulled off.

The cast and crew put in a tremendous amount of effort that shows throughout the nearly three-hour runtime. It’s hard to sustain a compelling story with equally captivating story with equally captivating sets and performances for that long, yet “2049” pulls it off seemingly effortlessly.

This big-budget sci-fi epic is a respectful worthy successor to the original but magnificent all on its own.

For three years in a row, N.C. Central University’s football team has been exceptionally successful. After an impressive comeback win over Hampton University last Saturday, a fourth championship seems possible.

NCCU was down 6-0 against the Pirates after the first quarter, but a spark from junior defensive back Davanta Reynolds kept the Pirates went scoreless for the rest of the game.

Reynolds recorded two interceptions on Saturday, including a game-winner late in the fourth quarter that was his sixth overall this season.

When asked how he held Hampton’s offense back for so long, Reynolds attributed it to watching footage of the team beforehand.

“Seeing how their quarterback throws the ball and how their receiver runs their route, I definitely knew I could get two (interceptions),” he said.

After a disappointing loss to Norfolk State the week before, the Eagles were determined to make the end of their season memorable.

Head coach Jerry Mack told reporters that the team’s Oct. 21 loss was the first time NCCU “felt defeat” in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since 2015.

NCCU has been a force to be reckoned with in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past few years. In both 2014 and 2015, Eagles football shared the MEAC championship with rival North Carolina A&T. In 2016, they were finally crowned sole conference champions after beating A&T for the third year in a row.

“We decided the Norfolk (State) game wasn’t going to define us,” freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell said. “We are a better team than that and determined to show our supporters the ‘real’ us.”

The Eagles kept their word with two wins in a row, keeping the championship dream alive.

Not only did NCCU defense keep Hampton to six points during Saturday’s game, they also put 14 points of their own on the board. Senior defensive lineman Ja’Quan Smith deflected a pass that was then intercepted and returned by sophomore defensive lineman Kawuan Cox for the Eagles’ first touchdown.

“It was hard work (with) a bunch of guys getting to the ball,” Cox said after the game. “It’s championship month and we have to get back to the Celebration Bowl; it’s something we strive for.”

NCCU’s second touchdown came just before halftime, when Caldwell found senior wide receiver Jacen Murphy for a 27-yard touchdown.

Murphy said that that touchdown gave the team the energy they needed to finish out the second half.

“We went into the locker room confident in the rest of the game,” he said. “We were going to come out and win.”

NCCU hopes to continue their win streak next week as they host the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium for Senior Day. It is NCCU’s last home game of the season.

NCCU complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all programs and activities (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) in the University's educational programs and activities. For additional resources or to file a Title IX complaint, visit the NCCU's Title IX webpage.